Assessment of the SIMITAR Gunnery Training Strategy Through Development of aDatabase of Gunnery Outcome Measures

摘要

This report assesses the impact of the Simulation in Training for AdvancedReadiness (SIMITAR) compressed gunnery training strategy for Army National Guard (ARNG) armored and mechanized infantry units. This strategy emphasizes the use of state of the art training aids, devices, simulators, and simulations (TADSS) in response to challenges posed by time and range constraints experienced by ARNG combat units. Assessment entailed development of a longitudinal database of gunnery related information generated before (1993-1994) and during (1995-1997) SIMITAR strategy implementation. This information was collected from armored and mechanized infantry units from a SIMITAR test brigade and from six enhanced no SIMITAR comparison brigades. Overall, the SIMITAR training strategy was successful. Results showed that final, crew level, tank gunnery qualification on Table 8 did not differ either between the SIMITAR and comparison units, or within the SIMITAR test unit, across data collection years. Bradley Fighting Vehicle Table 8 qualification rate, however, did favor the comparison units. Perhaps more importantly, the SIMITAR strategy permitted most (94%) fully staffed SIMITAR platoons to complete gunnery Table 8 (with a 45% overall qualification rate) and enabled company and higher level maneuver training objectives to be accomplished, all within a normal 39 day yearly training calendar. Suggestions for research needed to extend SIMITAR training strategy benefits are provided.